REVIEW | NPL NNSW Finals Week One - 2020
Charlestown Azzurri 1-1 Maitland FC (Maitland FC won 5-3 on penalties)
Maitland beat Charlestown Azzurri in a penalty shootout at Lisle Carr Oval on Saturday to advance to the next stage of the finals series.
In a fantastic finale to a great encounter, Maitland won 5-3 on penalties to progress while leaving the eliminated Azzurri heartbroken.
Both sides went into the contest in great form while the Magpies had a number of crucial injuries and lost a couple of players before kick-off.
The Magpies would show resilience and it was their talisman Braedyn Crowley who scored the first goal nestling a one-on-one chance into the corner in the 59th minute.
But Charlestown were not going to lie down and Kane Goodchild provided the spark off the bench scoring the equaliser in the 79th minute.
The match would finish 1-1 at the end of normal time and extra-time, with penalty kicks required to determine a winner.
Maitland made no mistakes from their penalties while Goodchild missed Azzurri’s opening shot.
In his final season for the club, Magpies keeper Matt Trott stepped up to score the winning penalty and create scenes of jubilation for the Maitland squad.
The 2019 premiers will now face Newcastle Olympic next while Charlestown have been eliminated.
Broadmeadow Magic 3-1 Newcastle Olympic
Broadmeadow Magic are one game away from a grand final berth after downing arch rivals Newcastle Olympic 3-1 in an exhilarating qualifying final at Magic Park on Saturday night.
The latest edition of the derby shaped up to be a sensational game and the two sides delivered another quality spectacle.
Both sides looked destined to go into the break all square before Jarred Baker scored a long-range curler which nestled into the top corner to give Magic the lead at the break.
Magic were on their way when Sam Walker scored his goal in the 73rd minute with a great touch and finish before Mitch Rooke sealed the victory a few minutes later with a great solo run and strike.
Dino Fajkovic scored a late consolation goal for Olympic after great build up play by Kent Harrison but it was the red of Broadmeadow who progressed to the major semi-final.
Broadmeadow will take on premiers Edgeworth in a mouth-watering battle to determine the first grand finalist while Olympic will get another shot against Maitland.
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